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Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud scored to lead Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over Southampton in the English Premier League (EPL) that puts the Gunners within three points of fourth-place Manchester City and within sniffing distance of Liverpool.

After a dull first half at St. Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, Sanchez received the ball in the area from Mesut Özil and blasted the ball past Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster to put Arsenal 1-0 up in the 55th minute. The Chilean international became the first Arsenal player to score 20 EPL goals in one season since Robin van Persië posted 30 goals in 2011-12.

Defender Theo Hernandez, currently on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid, passed a medical with record European football champions Real Madrid, according to Spanish media reports on Monday. The 19-year-old left-back passed the checkup successfully without any problems.

According to reports, the Marseille-born defender will move to Real Madrid this summer. He has a 24 million euros ($26.2 million) clause which Real Madrid are set to pay to Atletico at the end of the season, making him the first signing of the 2017-18 season.

A spectacular goal by Emre Can powered Liverpool to a 1-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road as they tightened their grip on third place in the English Premier League.

The away triumph on Monday eased the sting of Liverpool's recent loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield and left them three points ahead of fourth-place Manchester City, though the Citizens have a game in hand.

Third-placed Nice won 3-1 at home to move within three points of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a possibly decisive result in the battle for the French football league title.

PSG are currently in second place in the Ligue 1 standings with 80 points from 35 matches, three behind league leaders Monaco who have a game in hand. Nice were trailing PSG by six points before the clash at the Allianz Riviera Stadium on Sunday night. After Sunday's victory, Nice are in the running for a spot in the group phase of the UEFA Champions League next season.

At least three Brazilian Serie A clubs have shown interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Lucas Moura, according to media reports. The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour under PSG coach Unai Emery in recent weeks, having played in only one of the team's past five matches.

According to Uol news service, Moura's priority is to go to another European club if the Ligue 1 outfit opt to sell him in summer.